Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part III

[njdevils1982]

Shit is more rigged than the goddam Globetrotters.

 

[bossram]

Then you really have to question the logic of picking him cause he was never projected to be anything great offensively

The reports I read thought he tilted as an offensive defenseman.

I don't know what the logic of picking him was. I wanted to just take Wright at the time.

 

[longislanddevil]

I’m speculating but I really think Devils brass zeroed in on Slafkovsky. The draft then took a late turn and Wright to Montreal was no longer a sure thing (as most of you already know.). This put a real monkey wrench in the Devils’ plans IMO. I would have traded down from 2OA but it takes a dance partner to do it. Winning a lotto ball for this draft wasn’t anywhere near as important as most drafts. If we had simply remained where we were, I have a feeling Gauthier would have been the guy. Alas….ifs and buts w/ could’ves, would’ves, should’ves. The book is yet to be written on the 2022 NHL Draft.

 

[TrufleShufle]

Nemac looked good when he was up here and was the guy. Not meaning he was top pair worthy, but when we had no option but to lean on him, he played very well, especially for his age. I really think it's a mental thing for him, sent down because we didn't have room, kept down, comes up with an obvious expiration date unless he played lights out. Just seems like a dude who needs to be able to play without threat of losing his job every time he takes a shift.

Do you want that mentality from a high pick high potential D-man? No, but at some point you have to acknowledge it's a thing.

I'm not ready to give up on him yet.

 

[devilsblood]

Im not saying it has to be Nemec straight up for someone; just that the player coming back is young and cost controlled. They could be more proven than Nemec while being less proven than McCann

I am not great at pulling names off the top of my head so id have to sit down sometime this week and come up with some ideas (if it doesnt happen before then lol).

Id much rather stack picks and lesser prospects for a rental or two-year than go for McCann, if it means moving a top-3 asset I have for short-term control

Im afraid of losing the ability to maintain a contender in the name of trying to be something that maybe we just arent ready for yet. It is only year one of Keefe, after-all

I can't say I know how good McCann really is, but he did score 29 goals last year and 40 the year before that. He's 28. He's the perfect age for a team that aims to be making playoff runs this year and the years ahead. A player like that on a very reasonable deal has serious value.

If the return is Nemec we are trading a guy who is merely depth this season, and not performing well in that role. His play is such that you question if he could have a positive impact on a team looking to make a deep playoff run next season. And he plays a position where there is a similarly aged and similarly talented playing at a higher level.

Very possible that years down the road Nemec is playing at a high level while McCann is no longer on the Devils, but McCann helping in the near term is a much surer thing then Nemec being an impact player years down the line.

 

[NJDevs26]

I’m speculating but I really think Devils brass zeroed in on Slafkovsky. The draft then took a late turn and Wright to Montreal was no longer a sure thing (as most of you already know.). This put a real monkey wrench in the Devils’ plans IMO. I would have traded down from 2OA but it takes a dance partner to do it. Winning a lotto ball for this draft wasn’t anywhere near as important as most drafts. If we had simply remained where we were, I have a feeling Gauthier would have been the guy. Alas….ifs and buts w/ could’ves, would’ves, should’ves. The book is yet to be written on the 2022 NHL Draft.

I honestly feel like some teams got cold feet with Wright because Montreal passed on him like the Draft Day movie with Kevin Costner where the supposedly blue chip quarterback drops after he passed on him for the linebacker. All we heard for months was he was the likely top pick, then he slips to 4 or 5 whatever it was.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I’m speculating but I really think Devils brass zeroed in on Slafkovsky. The draft then took a late turn and Wright to Montreal was no longer a sure thing (as most of you already know.). This put a real monkey wrench in the Devils’ plans IMO. I would have traded down from 2OA but it takes a dance partner to do it. Winning a lotto ball for this draft wasn’t anywhere near as important as most drafts. If we had simply remained where we were, I have a feeling Gauthier would have been the guy. Alas….ifs and buts w/ could’ves, would’ves, should’ves. The book is yet to be written on the 2022 NHL Draft.

I think this is over thinking it.

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[CalamityX23]

I like to see Nemec paired with an experienced dman before writing him off

More to say but saving it for tomorrow, think everyone has good points on either side of the fence

 

[MadDevil]

The Nemec bust talk is massively overstated.

One thing to look to trade him for forward help we badly need. But this idea that he is terrible and always will be terrible is borderline nonsense talk

He just turned 21 years old and has played a whole 72 games in the NHL. It's definitely a bit concerning he took a step back, but development isn't always linear. I remember the days when Jack was a disgrace, Nico was one of the worst #1 overall picks in a decade, and Bratt was just a kid who put up fancy stats without the production to match it. And they're forwards, who typically take less time to put it together.

The question is can the Devils wait for him to put it together? It's one thing to be patient and let things play out when you're rebuilding. It's another when you're trying to win.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I like to see Nemec paired with an experienced dman before writing him off

More to say but saving it for tomorrow, think everyone has good points on either side of the fence

If we hold out for 18 more months that veteran dman could be Quinn Hughes

 

[Emperoreddy]

He just turned 21 years old and has played a whole 72 games in the NHL. It's definitely a bit concerning he took a step back, but development isn't always linear. I remember the days when Jack was a disgrace, Nico was one of the worst #1 overall picks in a decade, and Bratt was just a kid who put up fancy stats without the production to match it. And they're forwards, who typically take less time to put it together.

The question is can the Devils wait for him to put it together? It's one thing to be patient and let things play out when you're rebuilding. It's another when you're trying to win.

I dont think he is untouchable. Our right side is over crowded. If you are believers in Kovy and Casey then Nemec does start to look redundant even if we toss Dougie overboard. Plus we do need more forward depth that he could bring in a trade.

But that doesn't mean he is a bust.

 

[My3Sons]

I dont think he is untouchable. Our right side is over crowded. If you are believers in Kovy and Casey then Nemec does start to look redundant even if we toss Dougie overboard. Plus we do need more forward depth that he could bring in a trade.

But that doesn't mean he is a bust.

Just cut to the chase.

Mercer Nemec and something else for Quinn. At this point it’s hard to see Vancouver keeping him and hard to see Quinn not open to the idea of playing with his brothers.